Chapter 60: A Kingdom Where Mercy Has No Place

The coughing fit was so severe that the bridge of Kebel’s nose began to sting painfully. Kapu’s expression darkened as he watched Kebel, his face flushed red, unable to stop coughing.

Seeing how flustered and apologetic Kapu looked, Kebel waved a hand in the air, assuring him that he was fine. After a while, when Kebel had calmed down somewhat, he sent Kapu back to his seat.

“I’m sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment…”

“Ah, so that was it. I was worried that perhaps I had asked you an uncomfortable question.”

“No, it’s fine. And as for the answer to your question, Kapu. Of course you’re a good person. You came to visit me again today because you were worried I might be lonely.”

Even Kebel thought his words sounded a little strange, but he made no effort to correct himself. Kapu’s eyes sparkled. He blinked brightly, looking deeply moved by Kebel’s words. The look was so overwhelming that Kebel turned his gaze away, his face flushing.

“I had no idea you liked me that much, Kebel. Goodness… I’m so happy I feel like laughing. What should I do?”

“…”

“I’m joking. Why are you looking so serious?”

Apparently, Kebel had unknowingly made quite the stern face. Kapu seemed to realize that his teasing had gone a little far, yet he still could not hide his amusement as he corrected himself. The laughter that lingered in his voice made Kebel’s eyebrow twitch.

Only then did Kapu clear his throat and compose his expression.

Kapu seemed unusually cheerful today, almost as though something good had happened to him.

“Anyway, thank you for thinking so well of me. And more importantly, the child you were curious about—I’ve taken him under my care.”

“…I see.”

“Huh? You’re not surprised? I thought you’d be really surprised.”

Kapu tilted his head at Kebel’s calm, almost deliberately measured response. At the questioning look that seemed to ask where he had heard it, Kebel shook his head as though he were hearing the news for the first time.

Perhaps Kapu had been expecting him to be overjoyed by the news. He pouted once, looking disappointed.

“I thought you’d be much happier. This isn’t very fun.”

“No. I was just so surprised that I couldn’t find the words. Thank you. Truly.”

Only then did Kapu’s expression soften, his face brightening at Kebel’s words of gratitude. His eyes sparkled as though silently asking to be praised for doing a good job, so Kebel pulled the corners of his lips up even further into a smile.

Satisfied at last, Kapu stuffed a dessert into his mouth like an excited child and began chewing happily. Seeing how enthusiastically he ate, Kebel picked up a dessert as well.

He had assumed that something so pretty would taste just as good, but the moment he put it in his mouth, his face twisted.

“Why? Does it not taste good?”

It tasted almost like grass. There was a rather peculiar aroma that lingered at the tip of his nose, somewhat like the distinctive scent of cilantro, while the inside of his mouth felt dry and slightly irritating against his tongue.

Perhaps reading Kebel’s expression, Kapu let out a small laugh of understanding.

“I reacted the same way at first. But once you get used to it, it’s actually quite good. You’ll probably miss it when you return to the Empire, Kebel.”

“You’re right. I think I might.”

In more ways than one.

As the two of them enjoyed their tea time while harboring completely different thoughts, Kapu quietly spoke.

“The child’s name is Sharal. Apparently, his parents passed away, so he has no one.”

“Sharal… That’s a pretty name.”

“It is. Taking a s*ave who already belonged to someone else and placing him under my command was extremely difficult. Especially since Sharal possesses divine power. Just bringing him into the castle was already a tremendous matter for them.”

At the word ‘them,’ Kebel stared intently at him. Kapu had not specified who he meant, but Kebel knew he was referring to the nobles. Kebel was puzzled.

From the very beginning, he had assumed Kapu had gone to the festival for the same reason as the other nobles, to revel in their sense of superiority. After all, when Sharal was being abused among the spectators, Kapu had merely watched without helping him.

“But I don’t regret it. What I’ve done is something someone will have to do and change someday.”

“…I hope you succeed.”

“Well, I suppose it will be difficult to succeed. People are creatures of habit. They become accustomed to something and prefer to continue living the way they’re used to.”

He gave a strange little laugh. For some reason, the corner of his lips seemed slightly twisted. The sudden shift in atmosphere left Kebel bewildered. He searched for something to say, but in the end, he simply waited for Kapu to speak again.

“It’s already difficult enough to show only the good side of our kingdom, so I’m ashamed that you had to see such an embarrassing side of it. I feel equally ashamed before the Empire.”

Kebel had never intended to discuss the matter this far. Of course, an envoy’s duty was to report everything he saw and heard, but Kebel had never come here to properly carry out an envoy’s duties in the first place.

In the end, what Kapu had been trying to say through this lengthy explanation was essentially a bargain: now that he had taken Sharal in as his attendant, he wanted Kebel to keep what he had witnessed at the festival a secret.

Once Kebel began to suspect him, even the smallest things started to seem suspicious. Of course, he could have simply assumed that Kapu was speaking out of shame, just as Kapu intended.

But it also seemed possible that he was trying to prevent word from reaching the Empire that children possessing divine power were treated worse than slaves.

Looking at Kapu, who seemed to reveal his true intentions while showing nothing at all, Kebel merely forced a calm smile onto his lips.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“Thank you, Kebel.”

“But Kapu, I feel a little stiff from not playing any games. How about a game?”

At the word ‘game,’ Kapu’s eyes changed instantly. Kebel knew how ridiculously fond Kapu was of games and had deliberately dangled the bait, knowing he would take it. Still, seeing Kapu show interest so immediately made Kebel smile inwardly.

Kebel rose from his seat and walked over to a flowerpot. He picked up ten small, round pebbles and returned to his seat.

“It’s called gonggi. It’s easy, but it requires concentration. Would you like to try?”

“Gonggi? The air we breathe?”

“No, not that. Could you move the teacup aside for a moment?”

At Kebel’s request, Kapu immediately moved the teacup aside. Once the table was clear, Kebel placed five pebbles in front of Kapu and another five in front of himself.

Kapu stared blankly at them, seemingly wondering what kind of game could possibly be played with mere pebbles. Perhaps he thought they were nothing more than insignificant stones, because disappointment and disdain appeared on his face.

Kebel had expected that reaction, so he told Kapu to watch first and spread the five stones across the table. Since the game was something enjoyed by people of all ages and genders, Kebel moved his hand rapidly with practiced, dazzling skill. Kapu’s eyes began to sparkle again.

It might have looked simple and easy, but the game was surprisingly difficult and had a way of bringing out one’s competitive spirit. Kebel completed the final fifth round without making a single mistake and smiled.

“When you eat all five like this, you get five years. The person with the highest accumulated age wins. See? Easy, right?”

“Indeed. It looks easy enough that I could probably finish it in no time.”

With a smug expression, Kapu picked up the pebbles. Even when Kebel offered to demonstrate once more, Kapu refused, saying he was fine. Kebel already knew that it would not go as smoothly as it looked, but as though he had been waiting for this moment, he proposed a wager.

“Then how about we make a bet?”

Kapu let out a derisive little laugh at Kebel’s suggestion. He nodded as though Kebel were giving him a handicap and told him to name the terms. Kebel disliked the self-satisfied expression on his face, as though he were graciously indulging him, but it was fine.

After all, Kebel already knew he would win this bet.

“It’s simple. The winner gets to have one wish granted by the loser.”

“Sounds good. No changing your mind later, though?”

“Yes.”

At Kebel’s answer, Kapu smugly picked up the pebbles. Perhaps because he had been watching Kebel carefully, Kapu said there was no need to explain again and began the game.

But just as Kebel had expected, his hands were still unfamiliar with the movements despite his confidence, and he kept making mistakes, unable to get past the fifth stage.

As he repeatedly came close only to fail again, Kebel could see Kapu clenching and unclenching his fists in frustration.

Just as victory began to tilt in Kebel’s favor, a knock sounded at the door, and Cinnamon entered.

Like a sparrow unable to pass by a mill, Cinnamon had come looking for Kapu, and Kebel’s face fell with disappointment.

Unlike Kebel, however, Kapu seemed completely absorbed in the game and failed to notice Cinnamon’s arrival. Perhaps annoyed that Kapu did not spare him even a glance, Cinnamon’s brows furrowed.

His jealous gaze looked as though he might crush the pebbles at any moment, so Kebel subtly signaled to Kapu.

Only then did Kapu realize that Cinnamon had arrived and welcomed him.

How much did someone have to like another person to become jealous even over something this trivial? Kebel suddenly realized that he had never seriously fallen for anyone himself.

Kapu made Cinnamon sit down. Although the wager had long since become meaningless, Kapu still explained how to play the game to Cinnamon. Watching Kapu make mistake after mistake, Cinnamon clicked his tongue.

He looked at Kapu as though wondering why he could not simply toss and pick up a few pebbles.

“It looks easy enough. Let me try.”

Cinnamon confidently rolled up his sleeves, and Kapu’s eyes sparkled. He seemed to be thinking that Cinnamon had better do well.

But, as expected, the result was failure.

Even after several attempts, Cinnamon continued to make mistakes, and Kapu’s complexion rapidly darkened. Flustered by his lover’s reaction, Cinnamon tried again, but the result did not change.

Just as Kebel began to worry that the two might end up fighting, Kapu snatched the pebbles away from Cinnamon.

“Why are you taking them? I can do it.”

“It’s all right, Cinnamon.”

Kapu gave Cinnamon a sympathetic look, as though he understood everything. Cinnamon was so frustrated that he could not bring himself to express his anger and merely pressed his lips tightly together. His expression was unmistakably sulky, but Kapu did not seem to notice.

Kebel, who had suggested the game in the first place, felt a little guilty as well. Still, the thought that he might get a temporary reprieve from watching the two of them display their affection made him smile inwardly.